DVD Player Feature v Costs

[philh]

When I exchanged my mid level Sony DVD player (acting up) with the kids cheap combo, I was shocked at how good it sounded. So, in my search for DVD players, found some pretty expensive and some pretty cheap players. Not knowing any better, bought essentially the cheapest one I could find that had digital output and would play MP3's. I'm very please with my $53 dollar unit, it plays everything I throw at it, sounds fantastic, and as far as I can see a great picture. What it doesnt have is SACD capability, which was fine, because I don't own any SACD discs, nor will I.

Is there any benefit to buying a slightly more (or lot more) expensive DVD player?

 

[j_garcia]

It depends on what you're looking for, and start with a budget and narrow down your field. Your results will vary depending on the price range, as the players I'd recommend usually are in the $500-$1K range. That is not to say that there aren't good players out there for less than that, but the ones I like happen to be around that range. Cheapest usually isn't the best way to go, but you may have picked a good one regardless. You can get very good players in the $200-300 range today.

You say you won't own any SACDs, but have you actually ever heard one in a decent system? MP3 is pretty much the bottom of the totem pole compared to SACD...

 

[BMXTRIX]

IMO you can get a bit more by getting upconverting DVD players that actually do a good job and players with good deinterlacers when combined with digital displays.

Hook a Panasonic S77 up to a decent display and it is notably better than most cheapie players.

But, I personally don't recommend, and wouldn't spend more than that. Not with HD disc players coming along this year. $1,000 on a DVD player? It won't touch the quality of what HD discs will be doing right out of the box for the same or less money. But, that is, just my opinion.

 

[j_garcia]

I agree that a $1K player right now woulnd't be the smartest move, however we are also talking about the first generation of the new formats. I jumped on DVD with an expensive first generation player and I didn't regret that, but I'm not entirely sold on the new formats yet.

 

[PENG]

Is there any benefit to buying a slightly more (or lot more) expensive DVD player?

About a year ago, I did a comparison using a SOKE DVD player that cost C$115 and a Sony DVP-NS725P (C$230 two years ago). The sound quality of the SOKE was comparable with the Sony when playing DVD disc but with CD the SOKE was a joke.

Recently I A/B compared a C$49.97 DVD player to my other one that cost 35 times more and heard no difference. The result is not conclusive because I only used two CD, one jazz and one classical but suffice to say I was totally disappointed, but have to accept the fact. The only consolation is that the cheap one won't play SACD and DVD-A disc. Still, I love that cheap little player.

 

[philh]

You say you won't own any SACDs, but have you actually ever heard one in a decent system? MP3 is pretty much the bottom of the totem pole compared to SACD...

I'm sure the listening experience is unmatched, and I love the DTS Eagles disk I bought, but between running two teenage girls all over the place, and being involved with the city govt... I'm lucky to put together an hour or two and watch something Tivo'd.

 

[j_garcia]

Recently I A/B compared a C$49.97 DVD player to my other one that cost 35 times more and heard no difference. The result is not conclusive because I only used two CD, one jazz and one classical but suffice to say I was totally disappointed, but have to accept the fact. The only consolation is that the cheap one won't play SACD and DVD-A disc. Still, I love that cheap little player.

If you compared them using a digital connection, then there literally probably was no difference.

I'm sure the listening experience is unmatched, and I love the DTS Eagles disk I bought, but between running two teenage girls all over the place, and being involved with the city govt... I'm lucky to put together an hour or two and watch something Tivo'd.

I can relate. I have a system that I am very happy with, but I don't get to listen to it as much as I would like to either. I seem to be doing Taxi duty a lot these days too

 

[PENG]

If you compared them using a digital connection, then there literally probably was no difference.

I thought of that, so I also did an A/B using analog and "pure direct", still no audible difference. Yet, I could hear differences between my two pair of Energy speakers and, with much greater difficulty (may not pass a DBT) I managed to hear differences between my two amplifiers, using the same CD all the time.